Insect Sources Research Articles

Mantidis Oötheca (mantis egg case) original species identification via morphological analysis and DNA barcoding

Ethnopharmacological relevanceMantidis Oötheca (mantis egg case; sangpiaoxiao) is a medicine from an insect source, which has been widely used in Asian countries. However, misidentification due to a lack of information given variations in the medicinal portion of the ootheca and morphological similarities of the ootheca as an egg chamber. Aim of the studyThus, this study aims to provide the first comprehensive data for discriminating authentic of Mantidis Oötheca. Here, we provide detailed ootheca morphology and their molecular information to accurately identify Mantidis Oötheca. Materials and methodsOothecae of Tenodera angustipennis (Saussure, 1869), Tenodera sinensis (Saussure, 1871), Hierodula patellifera Serville, 1839, and Hierodula sp. were used in the comparative morphological, principal component analysis, and DNA barcoding. ResultsThe morphological analyses revealed that the emergence area, outline, angle of distal end, width of air-filled layer, and weight are useful diagnostic characters. Using these quantitative and qualitative characteristics, we developed the effective identification key. Furthermore, our CO1 sequences from all individuals were monophyletic with high bootstrap values at genus and species levels. Moreover, morphological identification using our developed key among all studied individuals agreed with molecular identification results using CO1 barcoding data. ConclusionsThese multilateral approaches, including morphological, statistical, and DNA barcoding methods are highly reliable identification tools. Moreover, our diagnostic key characteristics and molecular barcoding should aid in the accurate identification, authentication, and quality control of Mantidis Oötheca medicinal materials.

An overview of the sandfly fauna (Diptera: Psychodidae) followed by the detection of Leishmania DNA and blood meal identification in the state of Acre, Amazonian Brazil.

BACKGROUND In Acre state, Brazil, the dissemination of cutaneous leishmaniasis has increased in recent years, with limited knowledge of the potential Leishmania spp. vectors involved.OBJECTIVES Here, data concerning the sandfly fauna of Brasiléia municipality, Leishmania DNA-detection rates and the identification of blood meal sources of insects captured in 2013-2015 are presented. METHODS Parasite detection in female sandflies was performed individually by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (Leishmania kDNA/sandfly cacophony-gene), with the identification of Leishmania spp. by hsp70-PCR and sequencing. The identification of blood gut-content from fed females was performed by cyt b-PCR and sequencing. FINDINGS A total of 4,473 sandflies were captured. A subgroup of 864 non-blood-fed females evaluated for the presence of Leishmania DNA showed 2.9% positivity for Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis and L. (V.) guyanensis. The identification of blood meal sources was performed in 96 blood-fed females, allowing the identification of 13 vertebrate species. In nine/96 fed females, DNA from L. (V.) shawi, L. (V.) guyanensis, L. (V.) braziliensis and Endotrypanum sp. was detected. MAIN CONCLUSIONS In Brumptomyia sp. and Evandromyia termitophila, the first report of Leishmania DNA-detection is provided in Acre; Nyssomyia shawi is implicated as potential vector of L. (V.) braziliensis and L. (V.) guyanensis for the first time in Brazil.

Multi-scale integrated evaluation of the sustainability of large-scale use of alternative feeds in salmon aquaculture

The steady increase in production volume of salmon aquaculture has sharpened concerns about its sustainability. In particular the production of salmon feed is a reason for concern given its reliance on scarce natural resources, such as wild fish captures. Multi-scale integrated analysis is put forward as a tool to anticipate the environmental and socio-economic impacts of large-scale implementation of alternative salmon feeds, considering both plant and insect sources as potential replacements of fish meal and fish oil. The proposed accounting framework, based on relational analysis across hierarchical levels, describes the patterns of required inputs using biophysical and economic variables. It also considers the inputs used by external systems for the production of imported feed, thus providing a coherent assessment of the sustainability of the production system in terms of feasibility, viability, and desirability. The analytical tool-kit is illustrated in conceptual terms and then applied to the Norwegian salmon aquaculture, both in diagnostic (describing the actual situation) and anticipatory mode (examining feed scenarios). Results are used in an exercise of quantitative story-telling to check the quality of the narratives currently shaping policy discussions on aquaculture. Quantitative story-telling is a heuristic approach aimed at checking the robustness of knowledge claims in face of uncertainty. It is concluded that rearing insects in the salmon feed production chain enlarges the option space of feed sources by opening up the possibility of using locally-produced seaweed and organic waste, but also raises the level of uncertainty with regard to the possible insurgence of negative side effects.

Insects as vectors of DNA in a forensic context

AbstractInsects have historically been used in criminal investigations to provide information in relation to postmortem intervals (PMIs) but the field of forensic entomology is expanding. It is now recognized that insects can act as vectors of human and mammalian DNA through the consumption of biological material, with extraneous DNA able to be extracted and genotyped from all stages of the life cycle, and insect feces and regurgitant (artifacts). To date, DNA recovered from insects have been used to inform investigations into neglect and homicide, link body parts, and to identify victims of crime. It may also potentially be used to identify assailants, confirm the food source of insects to determine their relevance in PMI calculations, determine if a crime has occurred, identify scenes of crimes, and link people to locations and other individuals. However, insects which have consumed biological material may also transfer DNA by traveling to new areas, or depositing it via their artifacts, either within crime scenes or laboratories, or at locations distant to the food source. This could contaminate forensic evidence, confound investigations, and/or falsely incriminate or exclude an individual. Therefore, it is important that there is increased awareness into both the utility of insects as vectors of forensically relevant DNA, and the potential for contamination.This article is categorized under: Forensic Biology > Forensic DNA Technologies Forensic Science in Action/Crime Scene Investigation > Crime Scene Examination Forensic Biology > Interpretation of Biological Evidence Forensic Biology > Body Fluid Identification

Evaluation of a Salmonella Strain Isolated from Honeybee Gut as a Potential Live Oral Vaccine Against Lethal Infection of Salmonella Typhimurium.

In this research, Salmonella species were isolated from the animal, insect and human enteric sources in Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan. These species were characterized by different microbiological and molecular techniques including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) by amplification of the 16S rRNA gene. Furthermore, sequencing of the amplicons confirmed all ten isolates as Salmonella strains. The antigenic cross-reactivity was found maximum between the HB1 (strain isolated from honeybee) antiserum and its antigen with an antibody titer of 1:128, while the HB1 antiserum showed a cross-reactive titer range of 1:8 to 1:64. On the basis of the highest geometric mean titer (GMT) shown by the antiserum of the HB1 antigen, it was selected as the best candidate for a cross-reactive live Salmonella oral antigen. Moreover, the HB1 antigen was used a live oral antigen (1 × 1010 CFU/ml) in a safety test in rabbits and proved to be avirulent. During the animal trial, three different oral doses of the HB1 live oral antigen were evaluated in four different rabbits' groups (R1, R2, R3, and R4). The dose number 2 of 0.5 ml (two drops orally and repeated after one week) gave the best GMT measured by indirect hemagglutination (IHA) as compared to the other two doses, while R4 group was kept as control. Results of the challenge protection test also validated the efficacy of the double dose of the HB1 live vaccine, which gave the highest survival percentage. Results of this study lay the foundation for a potential cross-reactive live oral Salmonella vaccine that has proved to be immunogenic in rabbits.In this research, Salmonella species were isolated from the animal, insect and human enteric sources in Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan. These species were characterized by different microbiological and molecular techniques including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) by amplification of the 16S rRNA gene. Furthermore, sequencing of the amplicons confirmed all ten isolates as Salmonella strains. The antigenic cross-reactivity was found maximum between the HB1 (strain isolated from honeybee) antiserum and its antigen with an antibody titer of 1:128, while the HB1 antiserum showed a cross-reactive titer range of 1:8 to 1:64. On the basis of the highest geometric mean titer (GMT) shown by the antiserum of the HB1 antigen, it was selected as the best candidate for a cross-reactive live Salmonella oral antigen. Moreover, the HB1 antigen was used a live oral antigen (1 × 1010 CFU/ml) in a safety test in rabbits and proved to be avirulent. During the animal trial, three different oral doses of the HB1 live oral antigen were evaluated in four different rabbits’ groups (R1, R2, R3, and R4). The dose number 2 of 0.5 ml (two drops orally and repeated after one week) gave the best GMT measured by indirect hemagglutination (IHA) as compared to the other two doses, while R4 group was kept as control. Results of the challenge protection test also validated the efficacy of the double dose of the HB1 live vaccine, which gave the highest survival percentage. Results of this study lay the foundation for a potential cross-reactive live oral Salmonella vaccine that has proved to be immunogenic in rabbits.

Evaluation of a Salmonella Strain Isolated from Honeybee Gut as a Potential Live Oral Vaccine Against Lethal Infection of Salmonella Typhimurium

In this research, Salmonella species were isolated from the animal, insect and human enteric sources in Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan. These species were characterized by different microbiological and molecular techniques including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) by amplification of the 16S rRNA gene. Furthermore, sequencing of the amplicons confirmed all ten isolates as Salmonella strains. The antigenic cross-reactivity was found maximum between the HB1 (strain isolated from honeybee) antiserum and its antigen with an antibody titer of 1:128, while the HB1 antiserum showed a cross-reactive titer range of 1:8 to 1:64. On the basis of the highest geometric mean titer (GMT) shown by the antiserum of the HB1 antigen, it was selected as the best candidate for a cross-reactive live Salmonella oral antigen. Moreover, the HB1 antigen was used a live oral antigen (1 × 1010 CFU/ml) in a safety test in rabbits and proved to be avirulent. During the animal trial, three different oral doses of the HB1 live oral antigen were evaluated in four different rabbits’ groups (R1, R2, R3, and R4). The dose number 2 of 0.5 ml (two drops orally and repeated after one week) gave the best GMT measured by indirect hemagglutination (IHA) as compared to the other two doses, while R4 group was kept as control. Results of the challenge protection test also validated the efficacy of the double dose of the HB1 live vaccine, which gave the highest survival percentage. Results of this study lay the foundation for a potential cross-reactive live oral Salmonella vaccine that has proved to be immunogenic in rabbits.

Nutraceuticals derived from seed storage proteins: Implications for health wellness

Abstract Seed storage proteins are major source of proteins because of readily available bioactive peptides. These peptides are fragments of a protein, which showed positive implications on human wellness and gained wide importance owing to their health benefits such as antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-tumor activities. In plants, the bioactive peptides are ubiquitous in distribution that act as a part of innate response upon elicitation. In addition, these plant based bioactive peptides have structural similarity with the insect and animal sources. In most of the cases, the bioactive peptides triggers their response by binding the target membrane that results into permeabilization and rupture of the membrane. Delineating the potential of peptides having antiviral, antimicrobial and antiviral properties these can be used in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Further, these peptides can be used into the packaging material called active packaging that enhances the shelf life and quality of the food. In this review, seed storage proteins based bioactive peptides and their potent applications for health as well as food industry have been elucidated.

Insect infestation sources in stored maize grain; what is more important resident versus incoming infestation?

Most studies targeted pest control inside stores; incognisant of the population dynamics in the store vicinity; leading to product re-infestation. Distinction between storage insect pest source and sink grain patches is important for effective pest management strategies. We examined the role of resident versus incoming insect infestation in phosphine-fumigated closed or open and unfumigated closed or open maize farm stores. Grain quality measurements were recorded over 32 weeks for two storage seasons. Whether open or closed, fumigated grain had significantly lower (p < 0.001) grain damage and lower grain weight loss (p < 0.05) than unfumigated grain. Fumigated open stores had significantly higher (p= 0.004) grain damage and weight loss than closed ones. Grain damage was higher in unfumigated-closed than fumigated-open, evidence that resident infestation inflicted higher food loss than incoming infestation. Prostephanus truncatus, Cryptolestes ferrugineus and Tribolium castaneum had significantly higher populations (p < 0.001, p = 0.018 and p = 0.001; respectively) at bottom levels of unfumigated and fumigated grain (T. castaneum). Sitotroga cerealella and Sitophilus zeamais were significantly higher (p < 0.001) at the top of closed than open unfumigated compartments. Grain suffers less infestation and quality loss when it is a sink patch than when it is a source patch. Population build-up and ‘settling’ to inflict significant food loss takes longer for incoming compared to resident infestation. These results have ecological implications on postharvest IPM.

Effect of orchard management, neighbouring land-use and shelterbelt tree composition on the parasitism of pest leafroller (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) larvae in kiwifruit orchard shelterbelts

The parasitoid communities in organic and integrated pest management (IPM) kiwifruit orchards have previously been found to differ significantly, but we do not know if this affects the quality or quantity of biocontrol services. We compared parasitism of two leafroller (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) pest species, Ctenopseustis obliquana (Walker) and Cnephasia jactatana (Walker), in the two types of orchard. Within each orchard, we focussed on a large shelterbelt between the kiwifruit vines and an alternative land-use to also investigate whether the shelterbelts and neighbouring habitat were a source of pests or beneficial insects for these orchards. Sentinel larvae were used to determine both parasitoid identity and parasitism rate each month during the kiwifruit growing seasons in 2013/14 (16 orchards) and 2014/15 (12 orchards). The numbers of Tortricidae and parasitoids in the shelterbelt on each orchard in each month was also assessed in 2014/15. Four parasitoid species emerged from the sentinel larvae, although average parasitism rates were very low (1–3%). There were no detectable effects of orchard management, shelterbelt type or neighbouring land-use on parasitism rates. Parasitoid numbers were low in all orchards in 2014/15, although more parasitoids were collected from the IPM orchards than the organic ones. This may have been in response to the increasing numbers of Tortricidae in the shelterbelts on the IPM orchards during the season, a trend that was not observed in the organic orchards. Both shelterbelt composition and neighbouring land-use were found to affect total combined counts of Tortricidae and parasitoids, with higher counts in shelterbelts composed of Cryptomeria japonica and where adjacent land contained native bush or tree-based scrub. Each may therefore be a source of both taxa for the orchards. Modifications to the shelterbelts that increase parastoids but not Tortricidae are needed.

An artificial delay in emergence influences the number but not the fitness of adult emerald ash borer emerging from infested ash wood

AbstractEmerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), is the most significant invasive forest pest in North America. Laboratory research on this species requires sources of adult and larval insects that are of the same fitness as those present in the wild. Production of adult EAB relies on flushing adults from logs which are subject to cold storage for some period prior to use. The effect of this storage on the number of insects emerging or the fitness of those that emerge has not been investigated. We subjected logs of EAB‐infested white ash, Fraxinus americana L. (Oleaceae), to 7–14 months of cold storage and quantified the number of insects that emerged, the time to emergence, and the body condition of adults as a measure of fitness. Body condition was evaluated using Soxhlet fat extraction and water weight. No published methods for Soxhlet fat extraction were available for this species so we developed extraction protocols. The number of insects emerging decreased with time, but fitness (i.e., fat and water content) did not decrease. Time to emergence did increase but only in the longest storage treatment, whereas a comparison of male vs. female emergence provides evidence for protandry in EAB. Rearing programs for EAB using wood from cold storage should adjust the amount used to produce a given number of insects but the quality of those individuals emerging will not be affected. We suggest that those insects that perished during storage were of lower quality when entering diapause and thus would serve as poor‐quality host in rearing programs for natural enemies of EAB. These data also provide evidence for one pathway of introduction for EAB, suggesting that refrigeration in transit was required for EAB to remain viable and establish its beachhead in North America.

NOVEL HETEROCYCLES BASED ON 1, 3, 4-THIADIAZOLE SCAFFOLD AS INSECTICIDES

The crop plants are the major source of human nutrition, but insects and pests cause huge economic losses every year. The authors were interested in developing novel insecticidal agents with low toxicity and an acceptable impact on the environment. Thus, 2-amino-5-(substituted)-1, 3, 4-thiadiazoles (1a, b) were used as versatile materials to synthesize novel compounds through reaction with different electrophiles. The insecticidal activity of the synthesized compounds was tested using 4th instar larvae of spodoptera littoralis. Most of the tested compounds showed good to excellent insecticidal activity. Thus, the synthesized compounds could be used in the field of pest control through using them in proper pesticide formulations.

The identification of lac as a pigment in ancient Greek polychromy - The case of a Hellenistic oinochoe from Canosa di Puglia

An important example of a mixture of red colourants from plant and insect sources has been found during a recent investigation of a purple pigment on a 3rd century BC oinochoe from Canosa di Puglia present in the British Museum collection. Further investigation was carried out to elucidate both the nature of this pigment and its possible method of manufacture. In a practice typical of the period, Egyptian blue and a pink lake were found to be physically mixed to produce the purple pigment observed on the object. High pressure liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) revealed that the main colourant of the pink lake was derived from madder (Rubia spp.). However, the samples investigated also contained markers for insect-derived colourants from cochineal (Porphyrophora spp., in partial agreement with recent archaeological findings from Thessaloniki) and lac (Kerria Lacca Kerr). Despite allusions to its existence in ancient sources, evidence for the use of lac dye as a colourant (in a lake pigment) from Antiquity has never previously been found. In addition, markers indicative of tannins were also found in the mixture. This was interpreted as an indication of the reuse of a colourant that has been extracted from previously dyed textiles. Although common practice in the manufacture of red lakes from the 14th to 17th centuries, this may be the first evidence for this method to produce lake pigments found on an object from Antiquity.In addition to confirming the power of HPLC-MS in terms of the sensitivity and specificity of information, that in many cases allows species differentiation, these discoveries raise many questions, not least of which is the real extent of use of insect-derived colourants, as part of the polychrome palette of these votive objects and ancient polychromy in general. The implications of this use in the wider context of pigment manufacture in Antiquity, particularly in terms of the trade in raw materials, must also be considered.

Insect fatty acids: A comparison of lipids from three Orthopterans and Tenebrio molitor L. larvae

In order to explore some potential insect sources of food lipids, the lipid compositions of three Orthopterans (Acheta domesticus, Conocephalus discolor and Chorthippus parallelus) were analyzed and compared with those of Tenebrio molitor larvae. A. domesticus, Co. discolor, Ch. parallelus and T. molitor larvae were found to contain approximately 15%, 13%, 10% and 32% lipids on dry weight, respectively. The lipids from three Orthopterans contain much higher amounts of essential fatty acids than those of T. molitor larvae. The two Orthopterans of the suborder Ensifera i.e., A. domesticus and Co. discolor contain linoleic acid in major quantities, while Ch. parallelus of the suborder Caelifera, contain α-linolenic acid in major quantities. The consumption of linoleic and α-linolenic fatty acid is linked with numerous health promoting effects. The factors that contribute to differences in fatty acid profiles of these insects are being discussed. At last the nutritional parameters including polyunsaturated to saturated and omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acid ratios of these insect lipids are also being discussed to understand the potential role of these lipids in human nutrition.

Current Status and New Perspectives on Chitin and Chitosan as Functional Biopolymers.

The natural biopolymer chitin and its deacetylated product chitosan are found abundantly in nature as structural building blocks and are used in all sectors of human activities like materials science, nutrition, health care, and energy. Far from being fully recognized, these polymers are able to open opportunities for completely novel applications due to their exceptional properties which an economic value is intrinsically entrapped. On a commercial scale, chitosan is mainly obtained from crustacean shells rather than from the fungal and insect sources. Significant efforts have been devoted to commercialize chitosan extracted from fungal and insect sources to completely replace crustacean-derived chitosan. However, the traditional chitin extraction processes are laden with many disadvantages. The present review discusses the potential bioextraction of chitosan from fungal, insect, and crustacean as well as its superior physico-chemical properties. The different aspects of fungal, insects, and crustacean chitosan extraction methods and various parameters having an effect on the yield of chitin and chitosan are discussed in detail. In addition, this review also deals with essential attributes of chitosan for high value-added applications in different fields and highlighted new perspectives on the production of chitin and deacetylated chitosan from different sources with the concomitant reduction of the environmental impact.

In vitro evaluation of fermentation characteristics of two types of insects as potential novel protein feeds for pigs1

Novel protein sources such as insects are suggested for pig nutrition. Protein availability might be impacted by the nature of the insect and by the thermal treatment applied to sanitize this ingredient. Their influence on protein availability and colonic fermentation is unknown. Plant proteins (beans, lentils, peas, and soybean, raw and vapor cooked) were compared to adult house crickets (Acheta domesticus) and mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor) that had been autoclaved, oven cooked (150 and 200°C), or used raw. Ingredients were run in an in vitro model of the pig gastrointestinal tract combining enzymes to simulate digestion in the stomach and the small intestine and subsequent fermentation by fecal microbes to simulate hindgut fermentation. In vitro crude protein disappearance (IVCPD) of insects decreased with oven cooking at 150°C or autoclaving (P < 0.05) while that of plants was unaffected (P > 0.05), except for soybean. IVCPD of raw mealworms (0.726) equaled that of the best plants (0.725 to 0.763) while crickets were less digestible (P < 0.01). Consequences on fermentation metabolites were lower propionate (P < 0.01) and branched-chain fatty acids (BCFA; P < 0.05) molar ratio in raw insects against oven-cooked or autoclaved insects. Both insect sources displayed greater BCFA (P < 0.01) and lower propionate (P < 0.01) than plants. Crickets produced 50% as much BCFA as mealworms (P < 0.01). In conclusion, feeding insect-sourced protein requires a careful choice of the species as well as the thermal treatment to avoid possible detrimental consequences on digestibility and intestinal health in pigs.

Rapid identification of the botanical and entomological sources of honey using DNA metabarcoding

Honey is generated by various bee species from diverse plants, and because the value of different types of honey varies more than 100-fold, it is a target for fraud. This paper describes a protocol that employs DNA metabarcoding of three gene regions (ITS2, rbcLa, and COI) to provide an inexpensive tool to simultaneously deliver information on the botanical and entomological origins of honey. This method was used to examine seven varieties of honey: light, medium, dark, blended, pasteurized, creamed, and meliponine. Plant and insect sources were identified in five samples, but only the botanical or insect source could be identified in the other two. Two samples were found to be misrepresented. Although this method was generally successful in determining both plant and insect sources, honeys rich in polyphenolic compounds or subject to crystallization were recalcitrant to analysis, so further research is required to combat honey adulteration and mislabeling.

Using elemental profiling to determine intrinsic markers to track the dispersal of Prostephanus truncatus, a pest of stored grain with alternative natural hosts

AbstractDetecting sources of insects attacking grain stores can help to develop more effective pest management tools. This study considers combinations of chemical elements as intrinsic markers for tracing resource use by Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae), a pest of stored maize (Zea mays L., Poaceae) which occurs in natural environments where alternative hosts may support reservoirs of infestation. Prostephanus truncatus were laboratory‐reared on maize or field‐caught in pheromone‐baited flight‐traps. Beetles and hosts were screened for multiple elements using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP‐AES). For elements above detection limits, we tested relationships between determinations for various host plants, and for beetles according to environment where captured. An alternative host, Spondias purpurea L. (Anacardiaceae), contained more Al, B, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Si, and Sr than maize, and less P and Zn. Elemental profiles of beetles were associated with environment, with significantly lower Al, Ca, Cu, Cr, Fe, P, S, Si, Sr, Ti, and Zn determinations in maize‐reared beetles than in beetles captured in agricultural or natural environments. Additionally, Al, Ba, K, P, Sr, and Ti determinations of field beetles captured in agricultural vs. natural environments were significantly different. This suggests Al, Sr, and Ti as candidate markers for environment, and possibly others as elemental concentrations (except B, Ba, Ni, and P) were significantly different in comparisons of all field‐collected vs. maize‐reared beetles. We present a robust practical solution which successfully identified combinations of elemental markers for remotely tracing resource use and dispersal by P. truncatus. We discuss the application of chemical characterisation for identifying intrinsic markers of pests, particularly species with alternative hosts. We discuss how to manage the low replication and unbalanced sample sizes inherent in insect elemental screening, particularly when rarer elements are potential markers.

Safety evaluation of cricket(Gryllus bimaculatus) extract in Sprague-Dawley rats

Recently, research investment in the improvement of food safety as a food source and specializing of nutritional source of edible insects is being actively conducted. Cricket especially has been attracting considerable interest in entomophagy; however, research on the safety assessment of cricket is limited. This study investigated the effects of cricket ethanol extract when orally administrated in Sprague-Dawley rats. Here, we performed a 4 wk repeated oral dose toxicity test in Sprague-Dawley rats following the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development test guidelines 407 under Good Laboratory Practice regulation. Rats were randomly allocated 4 groups: vehicle control, 250, 500, 1,000 mg/kg test groups and administrated based on body weight for 28 d. The animals were observed for mortalities and clinical signs, body weight changes, food and water consumption. At the end of treatment period, blood and urine were collected and analyzed. Subsequently, the animals were sacrificed and subjected to gross pathological examination and organ weight measurement. The organs were preserved for histopathological examination. The results showed that there were no systemic toxicological effects related with the cricket ethanol extract in the 4 wk oral repeated dose toxicity study. It is considered that NOAEL of cricket ethanol extract is greater than 1,000 mg/kg/d and there was no target organ detected.

Anti-parasitic Peptides from Arthropods and their Application in Drug Therapy.

Africa, Asia, and Latin America are regions highly affected by endemic diseases, such as Leishmaniasis, Malaria, and Chagas’ disease. They are responsible for the death of 1000s of patients every year, as there is not yet a cure for them and the drugs used are inefficient against the pathogenic parasites. During the life cycle of some parasitic protozoa, insects become the most important host and disseminator of the diseases triggered by these microorganisms. As infected insects do not develop nocive symptoms, they can carry the parasites for long time inside their body, enabling their multiplication and life cycle completion. Eventually, parasites infect human beings after insect’s transmission through their saliva and/or feces. Hence, host insects and general arthropods, which developed a way to coexist with such parasites, are a promising source for the prospection of anti-parasitic compounds, as alternative methods for the treatment of protozoa-related diseases. Among the molecules already isolated and investigated, there are proteins and peptides with high activity against parasites, able to inhibit parasite activity in different stages of development. Although, studies are still taking their first steps, initial results show new perspectives on the treatment of parasitic diseases. Therefore, in this report, we describe about peptides from host insect sources with activity against the three most endemic parasites: Leishmania sp., Plasmodium sp., and Trypanosomes. Moreover, we discuss the future application insect peptides as anti-parasitic drugs and the use of non-hosts insect transcriptomes on the prospection of novel molecules for the treatment of parasitic neglected diseases.

Insect and legume-based protein sources to replace soybean cake in an organic broiler diet: Effects on growth performance and physical meat quality

AbstractProtein sources other than soybean for the diets of poultry are needed for agricultural systems in temperate regions to help avoid some negative social and ecological impacts of large-scale soybean imports from overseas. The aim of the present study was to test the suitability of alternative protein sources in diets for slow-growing organic broiler chicken. Four experimental broiler diets were tested against a commercial feed for organic broiler chicken fattening (control), containing 255 g kg−1 soybean cake. Each experimental diet was based on the control diet, but 130 g kg−1 of soybean cake was replaced with alternative feeds. The diet ‘HermAlf’ contained 78 g kg−1 Hermetia meal (dried larvae of the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens) and 52 g kg−1 alfalfa (Medicago sativa) meal. Diet ‘HermPea’ contained 78 g kg−1 Hermetia meal and 52 g kg−1 pea (Pisum sativum) groats. Diet ‘AlfPea’ contained 78 g kg−1 alfalfa meal and 52 g kg−1 pea groats. Diet ‘PeaAlf’ contained 78 g kg−1 pea groats and 52 g kg−1 alfalfa meal. Both diets containing Hermetia meal had the same amount of crude protein (CP) concentration as the control, while CP concentration was lower in diet AlfPea (by 2.7%) and in diet PeaAlf (by 3.5%) compared with the control. Over the course of the experiment, 15 broilers each (slow-growing Hubbard S757) were fattened with one of the five diets ad libitum from days 7 to 82. Additionally, all broilers received water and wheat grains (Triticum aestivum) ad libitum. Feed intake was measured by group. Daily gains, live weights, carcass weights and meat quality were analyzed individually. Compared with the control, feed intake, daily weight gain, carcass weights and feed efficiency were equivalent for all experimental diets. Regarding quality parameters, only cooking loss was increased with the HermPea diet compared with the control. The results indicate that the alternative feeds tested could replace part of the soybean products in broiler diets while achieving equivalent feed efficiency and product quality.